Somali journalist killed in car accident

New York, December 26, 2007— The Committee to Protect Journalists extends its condolences to the colleagues and family of Abdulkadir Ali Hosh, an online journalist based in Somalia’s semi-autonomous northeastern region of Puntland, who died in the line of duty in a car accident on Monday evening.

Hosh, 40, editor of the Somali news Web site AllDarwiish, was one of five passengers traveling north from the town of Galkayo to the Puntland capital of Garowe in a white commuter taxi, according to local journalists. The accident, which occurred at around 8 p.m., was caused by excessive speed and poor road conditions, they said. The driver and a member of Puntland’s parliament, Jama Hassan Karshe, were also killed in the accident while two other passengers were injured, according to the same sources.

“We mourn the untimely death of Abdulkadir Ali Hosh,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family and colleagues.”